Causes

Nearsightedness is a type of refractive error, which means the shape of the eye does not bend light correctly, so images are blurred. This usually occurs with an eyeball that is longer or a cornea that is steeper than normal.

Risk Factors

Nearsightedness is more likely to occur in people who have family members with the same condition.

Although the evidence is conflicting, some specialists believe that chronic near work, such as prolonged periods of reading or the daily use of a computer may also increase your chance of developing nearsightedness.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

Blurred vision of distant objects

Squinting

Headaches

Eyestrain

Diagnosis

A vision specialist will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You will be given an eye exam and checked to see if prescription lenses will help improve your vision.

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Options may include:

Corrective Lenses

Nearsightedness can be treated using corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses. You will have appointments at regular intervals to assess your vision and determine if your corrective lenses prescription needs to change.

Refractive Surgery

If you elect to undergo the procedure, certain forms of nearsightedness may be treated with refractive surgery. The surgeries used to treat nearsightedness focus on changing the corneas shape to increase the eye's ability to focus. Many of these procedures are done using lasers.

Corneal Refractive Therapy

Corneal refractive therapy, also called orthokeratology, uses a series of hard contact lenses to flatten the cornea over time. When the contact lenses are worn, they eliminate the nearsightedness. However, it is not a permanent solution. If you stop using the contact lenses, the nearsightedness returns as the cornea returns to its original shape.

Intraocular Lens

In some situations, removing your native lens and possibly replacing it with an intraocular lens can help treat nearsightedness.

Prevention

There are no current guidelines to prevent nearsightedness.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.